Minutes of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

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Chair and Secretary Participating Remotely
The Corporation of the Town of Orangeville
Members Present:
  • Joe Andrews
  • Polvier Folkes-Grandison
  • David Nairn
  • Dawn Kelly
  • Hazel Mason
  • Shawna McNally
  • Sushil Shundil
Members Absent:
  • Lisa Post, provided regrets
  • Sharyn Ayliffe, provided regrets
  • Patti Thomas, provided regrets
Staff Present:
  • Sarah Alexander

Meeting called to order at 6:05 p.m. Co-chair Andrews chaired this meeting. 

  • Recommendation:2022-011
    Moved bySushil Shundil

    That the minutes of the following meeting are approved: 

    2022-03-10 Meeting Minutes - EDI

    Carried Unanimously

None.

Holi Festival Working Group provided an update and summary of the event. The event was well-received by the community and local media. The working group will de-brief and review feedback in order to expand the event next year. Suggestion to connect with other community organizations for the event, including the Dufferin County Multicultural Foundation. Co-chair Andrews to forward a presentation from the Foundation's Chair to the Secretary, for distribution to the Committee.  

Community Survey Working Group to meet in the near future to review the community survey results. Secretary provided a brief overview of the data received. There were 409 responses submitted at the time of the meeting. The majority of respondents submitted an online survey. 

Members discussed the possibility of re-opening the survey and reaching more residents and demographics through alternate methods; for example, at events such as the Orangeville farmer's market. This item will be discussed further at a future meeting when Chair Post is present. One respondent also provided feedback that there was no ability to select more than one option when self-identifying race.  

Committee Chairs will continue to communicate with the Orangeville Legion regarding future Remembrance Day celebration ideas. 

Use of Corporate Resources During an Election Policy was distributed to Committee members on behalf of the Town Clerk's Division.

Committee Members were asked to provide Champion of Diversity Award nomination recommendations to Andrea Shaw, Executive Assistant to Mayor/CAO, by April 11, for Council consideration.

The Ontario Anti-Racism Strategic Plan is open to public input on ways to eliminate systemic racism and hate; deadline to provide input is May 4.

Theatre Orangeville presented "Things My Fore-Sisters Saw" in March, which several members attended and praised. The Dufferin County Cultural Resource Circle is commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 25. The event will be at 1 pm at the Alder Soccer fields behind the Alder Street Recreation Centre. Celebrate Your Awesome event is scheduled for June 18. Discussion on how members can get involved in these community events.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 6 p.m.

  • Recommendation:2022-012
    Moved byDavid Nairn

    That the meeting be adjourned.

    Carried Unanimously
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